I don’t come on here as often as I do but last night I decided to come to the forum and your story was the first one I noticed from the caption and so I opened it up. After reading it I would think there would be more people here on this forum who would chime in but I suppose this place isn’t like it was before. Anyways, I read your story from top to bottom and it reminded me of mine, and every other compulsive gambler that I’ve met in here, in ga, and in my life. It could bring a tear to my eyes because well, I could have wrote the exact post, Matter of fact, I did. Inevitably we have to lose every cent in our name, we have to lose ourselves, we have to lose our minds, in order to stop gambling. Gambling is an evil disease that unless you’re a compulsive gambler, will never understand. The time we have wasted in casinos, or betting on our phones, the endless times we have missed birthdays, anniversaries, meetings, meals, bathroom breaks, social gatherings, just to gamble. I feel your pain in every sentence and I want you to know you are not alone. I like you, lost everything as well, around 40k of borrowed cash from the bank, over 15k borrowed from parents, and around 100k+ of savings in around 8-10 years of gambling on and off. Lost a business, lost a gf, lost myself, and lost my dignity and self worth. We have to take it one day at a time man, we have to want to quit gambling, as bad as we wanted to gamble. We have to have motivation from within, a purpose to quit. For you, I think your daughter would be your purpose, and also getting your old job position where you can save money again, but I promise you will never get it shall yoy continue to gamble. I would tell you to go to ga and councilling, but I’m not going to sit here and tell you it works, I’ve relapsed so many times after ga ahd counselling . I think until you really want to stop, those things won’t do jack. I am sitting here now 4 months and 8 days gamble free, with a new job, a new outlook on life, and watching my gambling debt go down with every pay I get. You too can do that; if I can right? We are both human. I never thought I would stop. And I can’t promise I’ll stay stopped for life, because gambling is a life long battle. I am sending all of my prayers and strength your way to keep fighting; keep pushing forward, keep thinking how happy you were before gambling, spending time with your family without the stress of placing a bet. Working hard and saving money and buying nice things, experiencing life’s pleasures; without the stress of placing a bet, losing monthly salaries in a matter of hours.. think of this feeling if you get an urge…it’s not worth it. You’re 40.. you have time to rebuild. You know how much can change in 5 years, you can have it all back. More so the money, you can have your life back. I’m rooting for you, I know you have it in you to stop. God bless you
